Rent or Share Kitchen Space

Overview

A micro-food business is a small business that produces food for wholesale and/or retail sales, grosses less than $250k in sales annually, and utilizes a shared kitchen. This means that you do not produce through the use of cottage food operation license or through the use of food-service establishment license, but rather produce by utilizing, renting, or leasing a licensed shared kitchen space. This ensures that the heavy lift falls on the shared kitchen owner, rather than you, the producer. You will need to fill out a micro-food business application with the City of New Haven, as well as complete and submit Connecticut business and tax forms (please refer to the resources on the food business checklist).

  

Application Process

• Food Safety Training: You must complete a food safety training program by a state-recognized provider. A copy of your certificate of completion must be provided with your micro-food business application.
• Secure a Kitchen Space: You can do this by contacting any retail food establishment you might have connections with and are interested in using their space. If the space you secure is not already a licensed shared kitchen, the kitchen must apply for this license and be cleared by Zoning and Building Departments. You can also contact Sanctuary Kitchen, an already established and licensed shared kitchen.
• Compliance Agreement: You must agree to comply with the State Public Health Code and the New Haven Code relative to inspections of food service establishments. You may not install any additional equipment, plumbing, and/or electrical modifications. You may not change the kitchen in any way that would require additional inspections, including equipment, food, and fire safety inspections. You must only operate within the approved hours of operation for the existing shared kitchen.
• Develop Menu: If you are manufacturing acidified foods for wholesale, you will need to apply for a manufacturing license with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, as well as register with the FDA.
• Apply! Your application must specify the location of your operation, and upon filing the application, the user and the shared kitchen identified must be cleared by the authorities below upon the micro-food business application date. For more detail on this relatively new process, you can reference the specific requirements for sign-off outlined in New Haven's local law here (Sec. 14-13. - Application; filing, fees.). 
• Cost: Applications require a non-refundable fee of $100. Prorated License Fees for the first year of production: 

5/1 and 8/31 and extends to 4/30: $75

9/1 and 12/31and extends to 4/30: $50

1/1 and 4/30 and extends to 4/30: $25

The user and the shared kitchen identified must be cleared by Zoning and Building Departments upon the micro-food business application date, provide proof of the most recent passed fire inspection within 12 months prior to the application, provide proof of the most recently passed Water Pollution Control Authority inspection within 6 months prior to the application, and ensure the shared kitchen user (you) is in compliance with all equipment, food, and fire safety requirements set forth in the New Haven Code.

The shared kitchen is responsible for compliance with all equipment, food, and fire safety requirements under the New Haven Municipal Code and will be held liable for any violations of local law in the shared kitchen space.